Posted on 03/17/2022 11:49:41 AM PDT by elpadre
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called on Germany to help destroy a new "Wall" Russia was erecting in Europe, as he appealed directly to Chancellor Olaf Scholz to bolster his tentative response to the invasion.
In a speech combining an appeal for fresh aid for his besieged country with criticism of Berlin's long accommodating stance toward Moscow, Zelensky recalled Germany's own triumph over its Cold War division.
"It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb" dropped on Ukraine, Zelensky told MPs, echoing an appeal to history deployed before the US Congress Wednesday.
Appearing on a screen in his now trademark khaki T-shirt with dark circles under his eyes, Zelensky was welcomed by MPs in the Bundestag lower house with a standing ovation.
In a grave tone, he directly addressed Scholz, who faced fresh attacks from the conservative opposition for a halting stance in the crisis.
"Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall," he implored, evoking US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
"Give Germany the leadership role that you in Germany deserve."
- 'Economy, economy, economy' -
Zelensky coupled his flattery with a strong rebuke of Berlin's years-long reluctance to stand up to Moscow and sever its strong energy and business ties with Russia.
"We turned to you," he said. "We told you that Nord Stream (gas pipeline cooperation between Russia and Germany) was a kind of preparation for the war.
"And the answer we got was purely economic -- it is economy, economy, economy, but that was the mortar for the new Wall."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Russia is already signaling their intent to attack and invade Poland.
In short, Zelensky is right.
“..However, Berlin has resisted an outright halt to Russian energy imports, warning it would cause winter shortages and drive inflation, creating potential instability in Europe’s top economy.
Christian Democrat Norbert Roettgen, who is calling for a total Russian energy embargo, led a chorus of conservative criticism of the government after Zelensky’s speech, saying Scholz should have addressed parliament immediately afterwards....”
One of these guys should probably call the other a Nazi, and get it out of the way.
Guilt-tripping Germans into supporting Nazis. 2022.
More and more, it seems like Zelensky is an actor being marketed to the "woke" population.
I hate krauts.
If that is so, was Ukraine a feint (perhaps to test the international waters?).
Russia also has demanded we withdraw from about half of NATO countries. That demand preceded the Ukraine invasion.
It’s very important Russia loses in Ukraine. Huge effect in Europe and Asia.
The wokesters may think Zelenski looks cool but they’re the biggest pussies in the universe. Why they have so much control is beyond me.
Really? How are they signaling that?
I know many on FR don’t like Zelensky, but he has done a great job of making his case throughout Europe and the Americas. I don’t know of any PM or president of any of the nations that are as articulate and persuasive as Zelensky.
Yes, he is an actor, and those skills have served him well just as they same skills served Reagan and Trump well. I dislike the Hollywood types muchly, but I prefer their skills to those of the politicians we see all over Washington, DC.
You don't know how right you are.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy[a][b] (born 25 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician, former actor and comedian,[4] who is the sixth and current president of Ukraine.
I think what people don’t like, here, is getting played.
Democrats have a habit of plugging the toilet up so they can get everyone to come look at the mess. Biden, his son, Obama and others were busy plugging up the toilet, over there. Ukraine was then hung around Trump’s neck by these same people.
There is a lot to not like about Zelensky, but I could probably admire him overcoming his past - if I could believe him.
Russia’s army is pretty much entirely tied up in the Ukraine. What is left to attack Poland with? And what makes anyone think Poland would be a walkover? It ain’t 1939. And how would Russia occupy these countries?
Russia doesn’t have 2+ million men under arms any more. But they do still have equipment saved from WW2. I’d pay to see Vlad attack Poland with T-34s.
Agreed. The whole “intend to attack Poland” thing was pure BS.
Making a case to start World War 3.
This ”actor” sure has a deadly grasp of world history, and can whip it out and slap it across the face of politicians in every country, shaming them with their hypocrisy.
I beginning to really like this guy!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.